Using color correctly can differentiate between your final piece looking like a complete ammeter production or professionally polished. The layers of meaning you worked so hard to develop will fall away, leaving your work dull and completely forgettable. The power of color grading is undeniable and so important to get right. If you master color grading, you can transform raw footage into a visual masterpiece. 

In a nutshell, color grading helps to:

• Set the mood

• Highlight elements that you want the viewer to take note of, 

• Give your project a polished and professional look.

There are so many tools, techniques, and terminology out there that you might feel overwhelmed as a beginner by even the thought of color grading. YouTube is a treasure trove of tutorials! You will be amazed at how quickly you grasp the basics and what a big impact those skills will have on your work as you follow along with the right guidance. They make learning and growing at your own pace achievable by breaking down content.

For those with some experience, there is even more for you out there! Many industry experts who are passionate about what they do, love spending time sharing skills and talking about what excites and inspires them. They offer practical advice that makes it easy for you to refine your skills. They even share industry secrets that may help you transform your passion into a creative career. 

Keep reading through this curated list of the best YouTube channels for color grading, perhaps you will stumble upon that much-needed, missing piece of information that you have been looking for.

Channels for Beginners in Color Grading

• If you are new to color grading in general, start by visiting Alex Bjorstorp’s channel. He did not start his career as a creator till much later in life so he knows what it means to start from scratch and work hard at developing new skills. His color-grading content covers basic concepts, tools, and techniques in a way that is clear and easy to try on your own. Eager learners will be happy to know that Alex uploads new content on a bi-weekly basis, keeping his content fresh and relevant. He puts a lot of time and effort into his work and offers high-quality videos filled with real-world applications and a personal touch which makes his channel a valuable resource for mastering color grading techniques.

• Color Grading Central is another fantastic resource for you as a beginner. This channel focuses on making color grading accessible and fun for newcomers. The channel posts new videos bi-weekly, ensuring that content is always up-to-date. Many of the tutorials cover essential concepts such as:

  • color wheels 

  • Scopes

  • Basic color correction techniques.

They also have an array of software tutorials for platforms like Final Cut Pro X and DaVinci Resolve. What sets Color Grading Central is its focus on real-world applications. The channel's tutorials often use actual project examples, which may help you easily understand how to apply techniques to your own work. 

Advanced Techniques and Tutorials

There is never a good time to stop learning. These YouTube channels offer advanced tutorials and insights from industry professionals and will help you take your color grading to the next level.

• The Film Riot channel will have you captivated right away. The host, Ryan Connolly, makes learning fun, but more importantly, his industry knowledge, experience, and talent are undeniable. He is definitely worth learning from. His work will teach you all you need to know about detailed color grading techniques. He also offers software tutorials for:

  • DaVinci Resolve

  • And Adobe Premier Pro. 

Ryan typically uploads a new video twice a week, which means that you will have plenty of content to work through. As an advanced learner, you will really enjoy all of the problem-solving and real-world professional examples provided. Ryan also includes many case studies and breakdowns of professional-grade projects.

• Learn Color Grading offers tutorials, case studies, and creative tips that inspire an imaginative color-grading approach. The channel typically posts new videos once a week, providing a steady stream of high-quality content. Learn Color Grading covers a broad spectrum of creative topics, including:

• Artistic color grading techniques

• Creating unique looks

• Using color to enhance storytelling. 

We love that the channel also features breakdowns of iconic film looks and how to replicate them. 

Software-Specific Color Grading Guides

Choosing the right software to work with can be daunting. There are several YouTube channels that can help you make your choice. Likewise, if you already have software that you use, there is an array of channels available that are dedicated to providing comprehensive tutorials based on specific software. Some software options to consider are:

• DaVinci Resolve

• Adobe Premiere Pro

• Final Cut Pro

  • Casey Faris is a dynamite host and his channel is a goldmine for DaVinci Resolve users. He uploads new videos roughly once a week, giving you enough time to work thoroughly through newly acquired skills. Some interesting topics covered are: 

• Basic color correction

• Advanced color correction

• Node structures

• Keying

• Tracking

• Using Resolve's Fusion and Fairlight tools. 

Casey also offers tips on optimising your workflow and leveraging Resolve's powerful features for professional-grade results. His detailed and user-friendly tutorials are ideal for both beginners and advanced users, offering some of the best resources available online.

• Premiere Gal is a whiz at using Adobe Premiere Pro. She typically posts new videos once a week, ensuring that you always have something new to learn. Her teaching style is hands-on and will leave you feeling encouraged to practically try what you observe in her videos. Premiere Gal covers a wide array of topics, including:

• Basic color correction

• Using Lumetri Color

• Working with LUTs (Look Up Tables)

• Advanced color grading techniques. 

We love that her channel also provides tips on integrating other Adobe Creative Cloud tools to enhance your workflow.

• Mark Harrison is the Final Cut Pro expert that you have been looking for! His channel covers essential and advanced topics, including:

• color correction basics

• Using color wheels and curves

• Applying LUTs

• Creating custom looks. 

Mark is great at teaching the basics but we love that he also explores advanced techniques and workflows to help you easily achieve professional results. Mark’s clear and methodical videos are typically uploaded once a week. 

Behind-the-Scenes of Professional Colorists

It really helps to have a look behind the scenes and take note of what the industry professionals are doing. As a beginner, you may not be able to replicate what they are able to do, however, emulating their best practices will give your learning a boost and may even help you achieve your high-end professional goals that much sooner. 

• Cullen Kelly is a professional colorist who has worked on projects such as the Oscar-nominated short film, “Feeling Through”. His channel is a hub of information and inspiration for filmmakers, colorists, and video editors looking to enhance their color grading skills as he draws from real-world experiences. His standout content includes tutorials on: 

  • color theory

  • practical grading techniques

  • workflow tips.

We love Cullen Kelly and his channel as he is able to bridge the gap between technical knowledge and creative application. He breaks down complicated techniques in a clear and concise way making his channel a must-see for anyone involved in post-production.

• Juan Melara covers a broad spectrum of advanced topics, including detailed breakdowns of feature film grades, creative techniques for achieving specific looks, and in-depth tutorials on using DaVinci Resolve for professional projects. The channel provides a wealth of tutorials, breakdowns, and insights from Juan’s work as a professional colorist. Juan uploads new videos approximately once a month, focusing on quality and depth rather than frequency. The channel Juan Melara’s channel stands out for its focus on high-end, cinematic color grading. Juan’s detailed explanations and real-world examples provide viewers with practical knowledge they can apply to their own projects.

Creative Color Grading Inspirations

Nothing cures a creative block like a little inspiration. 

• Lila has a bubbly channel that will have you hooked from day one! She offers a comprehensive approach to learning about color. When learning with Lila, you will be amazed at the results that you can get while having fun. We love that she has a brilliant understanding of how color grading fits into the larger sphere of video production and can achieve amazing results. Lila uploads a video every two weeks or so, giving you plenty of time to fully digest all of the practical tips and tricks that she will introduce you to. If you are an aspiring or even a professional colorist, Lila’s channel will introduce you to new ideas and reignite your inspiration flame. 

• Matt Haapoja will introduce you to a creative mix of inspiring content. He offers something for both the filmmakers and the photographers through his travel vlog. In addition to expert advice on color grading, he also offers practical tips on:

• Shooting

• Editing

• And growing a creative business.

Matt often collaborates with other well-known YouTubers and brands to broaden your mind and expose you to a plethora of ideas. Matti Haapoja is all about quality rather than quantity. He uploads videos less frequently than some other YouTubers, with an average upload rate of about once every few weeks. Don’t let this deter you from enjoying what he has to offer as there is more than enough content to sink your teeth into. 

Tips and Tricks from Industry Experts

Learning from industry experts can provide you with invaluable insights that take your color grading skills to the next level. As professionals, channel hosts have years of experience and a deep understanding of the art and science of color grading. By paying attention to their advice, you can avoid common pitfalls, adopt best practices, and discover advanced techniques that might not be covered in basic tutorials. 

• With over 25 years in the broadcast industry, Darryn Mostyn is an industry expert worth listening to. He has worked with major broadcasters such as the BBC, Amazon, and Channel 4. He is also a certified Blackmagic Design Master Trainer for DaVinci Resolve. He adds a lot of depth to his videos and typically uploads once a week. 

• Waqas Qazi offers a wealth of knowledge as a professional colorist who works on high-profile projects. His channel features tutorials, industry insights, and advanced tips that help viewers achieve professional results. Waqas Qazi uploads new content weekly to keep all enthusiastic learners happy and busy. Waqas shares insights from his work on commercial and film projects, that provide you with practical examples to try out.

As you can see, the right YouTube channels have a lot to offer and can transform your color-grading skills, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, take the time to sharpen your skills. Who wouldn't want to master essential techniques, focus on creative approaches, and learn industry best practices? Who knows, it might make all the difference in setting you on your dream career path. 

For even more tips and insights into video production and color grading, check out the Vagon Video Production Blog. It's a great resource for staying updated with the latest trends and techniques in the industry.

Don't just take our word for it—dive in and explore these channels, but don’t forget to engage! Subscribe to these fantastic YouTube channels and immerse yourself in the wealth of knowledge they offer. Start by exploring tutorials, experimenting with new techniques, and applying what you learn to your projects. The more you practice, the more proficient you’ll become. Hit that subscribe button on each channel to stay updated with the latest tips, tricks, and tutorials. Your path to mastering color grading begins here.